Keralam Plans Insurance Cover for Natural Death of Fishermen

Keralam: The Keralam government plans to introduce an insurance scheme covering registered fishermen in the event of death from natural causes, Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor announced this week. The minister also outlined plans to review the state’s marine fishing law, resolve licence renewal problems for fishing vessels and intervene in High Court proceedings over the sinking of the container ship MSC Elsa 3.

Gafoor made the announcements during talks with representatives of boat owners’ associations in the fisheries sector. In a statement, he said the scheme would ensure cover for all registered fishermen in the state once introduced.

Keralam: Gap in current insurance cover

At present, insurance available to fishermen applies only to accidental death and to disability caused by accidents. Deaths from natural causes, including illness or a heart attack, are not covered, the minister said. The proposed scheme is meant to bring such cases under protection for every registered fisherman.

According to the Fisheries Department’s website, active fishermen are insured through the Kerala Fishermen Welfare Fund Board under a group scheme, with the annual premium shared equally by the Centre and the state. The details made public so far do not specify the premium, the sum insured, the implementing agency or the date from which the new scheme would apply.

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Keralam: Marine fishing law to be reviewed

The meeting also decided to address the difficulties faced in renewing licences for fishing vessels whose permits have expired. No timeline or specific mechanism was reported.

The government will also update the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act so that it suits present needs. The law came into force in November 1980, and the government is considering revising it to align with current realities. An expert committee will be appointed soon to conduct the required review and submit a report. Legislative amendments will follow only after feedback is collected from people working in the fisheries sector, the minister said. A date for constituting the committee has not been announced.

Keralam: MSC Elsa 3 case and fisheries council

On the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3, Gafoor said the government will intervene in the case now before the Kerala High Court to secure compensation for fishermen’s losses.

The Liberian-registered container ship sank on 25 May 2025, about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, after taking in water in a cargo hold. All 24 crew members were rescued, and authorities banned fishing within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the site. The vessel carried 13 containers with hazardous materials, along with diesel and furnace oil.

The state government had claimed damages of ₹9,531 crore over the sinking, made up of environmental damage, the cost of measures to prevent or remove that damage, and ₹526.51 crore for economic loss to fishermen. In September 2025, the High Court held that the state can maintain its admiralty suit, while reducing the security required for the release of an arrested sister vessel. Separately, a Division Bench admitted public interest litigations seeking compensation for fishers and others affected by the sinking.

The minister also said steps have been decided to restructure the fisheries management council and ensure it functions at full capacity. Details of the proposed restructuring were not immediately available.

Several measures are at the announcement stage. The terms of the insurance scheme, the constitution of the expert committee and the plan for the council’s restructuring have yet to be detailed. The Department of Fisheries and Ports formulates fisheries policy and implements welfare schemes for fishermen in the state.

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